German experts: 3 risk factors increase the risk of cancer, smoking is foremost
German experts confirmed that about 40% of all new cancer cases in Germany could have been avoided if a healthy lifestyle was followed.
The head of the German Cancer Research Center, "DKFZ", Michael Baumann, said today, Tuesday, on the occasion of World Cancer Day, which corresponds to the fourth of February, that the biggest risk factor is smoking, followed by an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.
He added that viruses, bacteria or parasites can cause chronic infections, which in turn help in cancer of the liver, intestine, breast and prostate.
Baumann explained that 20% of all new cancer cases are due to such persistent infections.
It is noteworthy that there are several viruses that can cause cancer, the most important of which is the human papillomavirus, which is known to be the main cause of cervical cancer.
In contrast, there is a vaccine developed by the former president of the German Center for Cancer Research and Nobel Prize winner in medicine, Harald Zur Hausen, against this virus, but only 43% of girls know about it.
So Baumann called for a vaccination program to be launched in schools.
Medicine has also made great strides in combating the hepatitis C virus with drugs.
Since 2015, nearly all people who are treated have recovered from this type of virus, according to data from German virologist Ralph Partenschlager.
According to the German Center for Cancer Research, about 500,000 people develop cancer in Germany annually.
Annual injuries are expected to increase by 20% by 2030. According to the data, 65% of all infected people live in the first five years after diagnosis.
"This does not mean that they have recovered," Baumann stressed.
More than four million people in Germany live with or have recovered from cancer.
Baumann warned against laxity in fighting cancer due to the Corona pandemic.
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